Automatic container separator and method of separating containers



Dec. 12, 1987 M. F. RING 3,357,537

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF SEPARATING CONTAINERS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25, 1966 Dec. 12, 1967 M. F. RING 3,357,537

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF SEPARATING CONTAINERS FiledAug. 25, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mum 7'0? #74 900 F. 946

Dec. 12, 1967 M. F. RING 3 5 AUTOMATIC CONTAINER SEPARATOR AND METHOD OFSEPARATING CONI'AINFRS Filed Aug. 25, 1966 United States Patent3,357,537 AUTGMATIC CONTAINER SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF SEPARATINGCONTAINERS Marion F. Ring, Downey, Calif., assignor to The Coca- CoiaCompany, Atlanta, 62., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 25, 1966,Ser. No. 575,118 13 Claims. (Cl. 198-31) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thecontainer separator guides a predetermined number of containers from arow onto retractable rails, detects the presence of each container ofthe number in a respective position, and retracts the rails to dispensethe number of containers simultaneously under gravity. Maintenance ofthe correct number of containers in successive rows is assured forproper packaging.

This invention relates to an automatic container separator. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to an automatic container separatorfor separating a single row of delivered containers into a plurality ofaligned rows of dispensed containers. Still more particularly, thisinvention relates to an automatic container separator for separating asingle row of containers into a plurality of aligned rows in preparationfor case packing.

Generally, in packaging content filled containers, the containers areautomatically conveyed in a single continuous row into a separatingdevice for segregating successive containers into different runways. Therunways are aligned with each other to guide the segregated containersin aligned rows into case packing units wherein the aligned rows ofcontainers are placed in suitable cases for shipment.

Heretofore, container separating devices have been used which directeach container of a delivered row of containers into a different runwayfrom the next successive container. In some instances, these separatingdevices have utilized a rotary wheel provided with circumferentialcontainer receiving pockets and releasable container locks in eachpocket which sequentially lock a received container in place and releasethe container after a predetermined rotation of the wheel for depositingsuccessive containers into differently spaced runways. In otherinstances, the separating devices have utilized a pair of tangentiallydisposed rotors in the path of the containers which have ditferent sizedcontainer receiving peripheral pockets. The rotors have coacted togetherto segregate successive containers into disparate runways havingparticularly shaped entrances.

However, the heretofore used separating devices have not been generallysuccessful in that the containers have not always been delivered intothe proper runways. That is, the topmost runways have had morecontainers than the runways below, and in some instances, the lowermostrunway has been void of any containers. This has caused an unevendistribution of the containers per row to be introduced into the casepacking units and thereby has caused malfunctioning of the case packingunits and coincident delays in output. Further, the separating deviceshave had frequent malfunctions in dispensing the containers into therunways which have caused jams and production down time. Additionally,especially where spring tensioned mechanisms have been used, the generalmethod of operating the separatingdevioes has made adjustments verydifi'icult.

Generally, the invention provides an automatic container separator whichseparates a single row of delivered containers into a plurality ofrunways by intermittently segregating a predetermined number ofcontainers from "ice the delivered row of containers and depositing thesegregated containers into the runways simultaneously. The automaticcontainers separator is positioned in the path of a row of movingcontainers at the entrance to a con veyor ramp having a plurality ofrunways. The separator includes a housing having a guide means forpositioning a row of containers in the separator and a pair ofoppositely mounted retractable rails mounted over the run-" ways forreceiving the containers, a stop for abutting the foremost container,means for detecting the presence of a predetermined number of containerson the retractable rails and means for actuating the retractable railsto retract and close. In addition, the separator has a means positionedadjacent the runways for determining the passage of a predeterminednumber of containers from the retractable rails in order to reset therail actuating means and container detecting means.

When the means for detecting the presenc of a predetermined number ofcontainers on the retractable rails over the runways is actuated, therails are retracted to allow the containers to fall simultaneously undergravity into the respective runways. Upon passing the means adjacent therunways for determining the passage of the segregated containers, thefalling containers actuate the means to close the rails and to reset themeans for detecting the presence of containers thereon.

In order to prevent the movement of succeeding containers into theseparator, a stop arm is provided in the path of the single row ofcontainers which is actuated simultaneously with the retractable rails.

The invention provides a method of separating a single row of containersinto a plurality of aligned rows which includes the steps of moving therow of containers in a downwardly sloped direction, arresting movementof the containers, segregating a predetermined number of the foremostcontainers and dispensing the segregated containers simultaneously undergravity in aligned rows. The several steps are repeated in sequentialmanner so that the aligned rows of dispensed containers contain an evendistribution of containers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an automaticcontainer separator and method of separating a row of containers whichsegregates a plurality of containers from the row and delivers thesegregated containers simultaneously into a plurality of runways forcase packaging.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic containerseparator and method of separating a single row of containers whichintermittently segregates a predetermined number of containers from therow and delivers the segregated containers simultaneously into aplurality of runways for case packaging.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic containerseparator which operates in response to the presence of a predeterminednumber of containers therein.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic containerseparator which is cycled by the passage of a predetermined number ofsegregated containers therethrough.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic containerseparator which operates in an efficient consistent accurate manner tointermittently deliver a plurality of containers into respective runwaysfor a case packing unit.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic containerseparator which is easily adjusted and repaired.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic containerseparator with a sensing means for detecting any interruption in thedelivery of containers.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic container.separator which avoids jamming of the containers with a resultantefficiency in running time.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automatic containerseparator of the invention positioned between a container supply rampand a case packer ramp;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the automatic containerseparator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary side view of the separator in anunreleased condition;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 3 with theseparator in a released condition;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic wiring diagram of an electrical circuitemployed in the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic container separator 10 ispositioned between a filled container supply ramp 11 and a plurality ofcase packer runways 12 to separate a single row of containers 13conveyed from the supply ramp 11 into a plurality of aligned rows ofdispersed containers 13, 13", 13" in the case packer runways 12. Thecontainers 13 are initially fed into the supply ramp 11 in acontinuously moving manner and are generally of a cylindrical shape. Thesupply ramp 11 is sloped downwardly so that the containers 13 rollsubstantially under gravity into the container separator 10. Similarly,the case packer runways 12 are sloped downwardly so that the containers13, 13", 13" roll under gravity.

The automatic container separator 10 includes a pair of spaced opposedside walls 14 positioned astride the path of the single row ofcontainers 13 contiguous to the respective ends of the ramps 11 andrunways 12. The side walls 14 are spaced by suitable spacer rods and areformed with guide means for positioning the containers 13 in theseparator 10. That is, each side wall 14 has a fixed lower rail 15 and afixed upper rail 16 directed in a sloped downward direction in alignmentwith the supply ramp 11 for. guiding the containers 13 into theseparator 10 and maintaining the guided containers against upwardmovement relative to the rails 15, 16. In addition, each side wall 14has a retractable lower rail 17 in alignment with the fixed lower rail15 below a forward portion of the upper rail 16. The forward end of theupper rail 16 is provided with a stop lug 18 which projects into theseparator for arresting movement of the containers 13 down the rails 15,17. The respective rails 15, 16, 17 of each side wall 14 are inhorizontal alignment with each other so as to define a continuouspassage with the supply ramp 11 for the single row of containers 13.

The lower rails 15, 17 are sized relative to each other so that apredetermined number of the containers 13 within the separator 10, forexample, three, are supported on the retractable rails 17.

Further, the automatic container separator 10 includes a plurality ofarcuate rails 19 mounted on opposed side walls 14 below the retractablerails 17 to form a plurality of arcuate chutes conforming to the numberof containers positionable on the retractable rails 17. Each pair ofhorizontally opposed arcuate rails 19 is positioned relative to theretractable rails 17 and the runways 12 of the case packer to define acontinuous arcuate passageway for a container 13 in passing from theseparator 10 into the runways 12.

The container separator 10 is secured to the supply ramp 11 by a bracket20 which passes under the supply ramp 11 and which is mounted on a rod21 passing through and secured to the side walls 14. Also, the containerseparator 10 is secured to the case packer runways 12 through brackets22 which are disposed across the undersidcs of the runways 12 andsecured to angle irons 23 on the exterior surfaces of the side walls 14.Additionally, a lower adjustable framework 24 which is a part of a totalconveyor machine structure supports the container separator 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, each retractable rail 17 is sized toproject into the space between the side walls 14 a distance which isonly sufiicient to adequately support the ends of the containers 13without interfering with the downward movement of the containers uponretraction of the rails 17. Since the retractable rails 17 are actuatedby identical assemblies only one of such assemblies will be describedbelow in detail while the other assembly will be designated by primedreference characters in the drawings. Each retractable rail 17 passesthrough a slot 24 in the respective side wall 14 and is secured outsideof the side wall 14 to the ends ofa pair ofspaced rods 25, as bywelding. The rods 25 are each fixed to a shaft 26 which is rotatablymounted within a pair of spaced bearing blocks 27, 27'. The shaft 26 isrotated within the bearing blocks 27, 27 through an arm 28 which isfixedly secured at one end to the shaft 26 intermediately of the bearingblocks and pivotally secured at the other end to a piston rod 29 whichpasses through an aperture in the side wall 14 into an air cylinder 30.The air cylinder 30 is pivotally mounted on a pin support 31 secured tothe side wall 14 opposite the side wall through which the piston rod 29passes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the air cylinders 30' for the tworetractable rails 17 are operatively connected to a common airsupplysource (not shown) for reciprocal,

movement of the respective piston rods 29. The air supply sourcedelivers air in a conventional manner through an oiler 31a, a pressureregulator 32, and air filter 33 and a solenoid valve 34. The solenoidvalve 34 (FIG. 5) is connected by a single air feed tube 35 havingbranches 35a and 35b to the respective forward ends of the cylinders 30,30 for passing air into the cylinders 30, 30' to move the piston arms29, 29" into the cylinders. Also, the solenoid valve 34 is connected bya single air feed tube 36 having branches 36a and 36b to the respectiverear ends of the cylinders 30, 30' for passing air thereinto to move thepiston arms 29, 29 out of'the cylinders.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, a container stop assembly 37 is mountedin the container separator 10 to prevent movement of the single row ofcontainers from the fixed lower rails 15 towards the retractable rails17 until the retractablerails 17 are within the confines of the sidewalls 14 and positioned to support containers thereon. The containerstop assembly 37 includes a stop arm 38 pivotally mounted on a shaft 39mounted between the side walls 14. The stop arm 38 is formed with adepending lug 40 at the shaft 39 which is engaged by a tension spring 41mounted on the bracket rod 21 to constantly urge the stop arm in adownward direction into the path of the single row of containers 13. Thestop arm 38 is formed with a bracket 42 intermediately on the topsurface which secures one end of a flexible connection, such as a chain43, therein. The opposite end of the chain is secured to a lever arm 44transverse to the stop arm 38 which passes through one of the side walls14 and which is fixedly mounted to shaft 26'. The connection of thelever arm 44 to the shaft 26' is such that the movement of the lever arm44 is synchronized to the movement of the retractable rails so that uponrotation of the shaft 26 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 6, the stop arm 38 is pivotedagainst the force of the spring 41 outof the plane of the single row of containers 13 and the retractablerails 17 are pivoted into the confines of the sidewalls 14. This permitspassage of the single row of containers onto the retractable rails 17.Conversely, upon rotation of the shaft 26' in a clockwise direction, theretractable rails 17 are moved out of the side walls 14 and the stop armis moved under the force of the spring 41 into the plane of the singlerow of containers to prevent further movement onto the retractable rails17 Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a container sensing assembly 45 ispositioned in the container separator to detect the presence of apredetermined number of segregated containers on the retractable rails17 and to determine the passage of the segregated containers through thechutes formed by the arcuate rails 19. The container sensing assembly 45includes a purality of microswitches 46 corresponding to the number ofcontainers to be positioned on the retractable steps 17, for example,three, which are secured along one of the upper rails 16 (FIG. 5) as bybrackets 47. Each microswitch 46 has a finger 48 which projects into thepath of the containers 13. The fingers 48 are each arranged to contact acontainer positioned over a chute defined by the rails 19 and thusactuate the respective microswitches upon the presence of a container.Additionally, the container sensing assembly 45 includes a microswitch49 positioned adjacent one of the outer arcuate rails 19 having a finger50 which project into the path formed by that rail and the next arcuaterail 19. The finger 50 is sized to contact one of the segregatedcontainers to activate the microswitch 49 upon passage of the segragatedcontainers through the chutes formed by the arcuate rails 19.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in operation, a single row of containers 13are fed at a substantially constant rate into and down the supply ramp11. The containers pass into the aligned passage of the automaticcontainer separator 10 formed by the rails 15, 16, 17. With theretractable rails in a closed position (FIG. 3), the foremost con tainer13' on the retractable rails 17 comes into abutting contact with thestop lugs 18 over the chute between the first pair of arcuate rails 19and at the same time contacts the foremost microswitch finger 48 toactuate the microswitch. Subsequently, the succeeding containers on theretractable rails 17 come into mutual contact with each other over thechutes between the remaining arcuate rails 19 while simultaneouslyactuating the remaining microswitches 46 through contact with the finger48. After three containers have come onto the retractable rails 17 andhave actuated the three microswitches 46 simultaneously, a circuit iscompleted that actuates the solenoid valve 34 (FIG. 1) to introduce airthrough the air feed tube 35 into the air cylinders 30, 30' so as tomove the piston arms 29, 29' into the cylinders. Upon movement of thepiston arms 29, 29 (FIG. 5), the shafts 26, 26' rotate respectively toretract the retractable rails 17 from within the side walls 14 and tosimultaneously drop the stop arm 38 into the path of the containersbetween the third container 13 and the next succeeding container tosegregate the forward three containers.

The foremost three containers 13', 13", 13", because the lower supportrails 17 are removed, drop into the chutes between the arcuate rails 19under gravity. Since the stop arm 38 is in abutment with the foremostcontainer of the containers remaining in the single row, there is nofurther movement of the containers from the lower fixed rails towardsthe retractable rails 17 As the segregated containers 13', 13", 13"continue through the chutes formed by the rails 19, one of thecontainers triggers the microswitch finger 50 to actuate the microswitch48. This completes a circuit which recycles the microswitches 47 andreverses the solenoid valve 34 so that air is introduced through the airfeed tube 36 into the air cylinders 39, 30' so as to move the pistonarms 29, 29' out of the cylinders. The shafts 26, 26' are thus rotatedto return the retractable rails 17 inside the side walls and tosimultaneously lift the stop arm 38 from the path of the single row ofcontainers. The next succeeding three containers roll into theretractable rails 17 to repeat the above operation.

When the segregated containers 13', 13", 13" reach the end of thearcuate rail chutes they are dispensed into the respective separatedrunways 12. The segregated containers then proceed to roll down therunways 12 in substantial alignment with each other to a conventionalcasepacker unit (not shown).

Should one or more containers fail to be positioned on the retractablerails 17 over the chutes formed by the arcuate rails 19, themicroswitches 46 at those stations will not be actuated. Thus, thecircuit for actuating the air cylinders to retract the rails 17 will notbe completed. Accordingly, none of the containers will be allowed todrop through the arcuate rail chutes to the runways 12 of the casepacker. The automatic container separator 10 operates to segregate anddispense the containers 13 only when a full complement of containers arepositioned on the retractable rails 17 over the arcuate r-ail chutes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, an electrical circuit for coordinating theoperation of the sensing assembly 45 and solenoid valve 34 includes atransformer 51 which is operatively connected to a relay 52 to transforma relatively high voltage e.g. volts, to a relatively low voltage, e.g.24 volts. The relay 52 is operatively connected through lines 53, 54 tothe microswitches 46 which are normally open. The microswitches 46 areconnected in series through a line 55 to the microswitches 49 which isnormally closed. The microswitch 49 is connected through a line 56 to acoil 57 of the relay 52. The coil 57 is operatively connected to thesolenoid valve 34 through lines 58, 59. Thus, when the microswitchesclose, the circuit to the solenoid valve 34 is closed to direct air intothe air cylinders 30 to retract the retractable rails 17. Upon openingof the microswitch 49, the circuit to the solenoid valve 34 is opened toredirect air into the air cylinders 30 to close the rails 17 and openthe microswitches 46.

In order to provide for manual operation of the container separator 10,a push button release 60 is interposed in the circuit. The push buttonrelease 60 which is normally open is connected to the relay throughlines 61, 62 and to the limit switch 49 through a line 63 from the relay52. Upon closing of the button 60, a circuit is completed to thesolenoid valve 34 to direct air into the air cylinders 30 to retract theretractable rails 17.

The transformer 51 and relay 52 as well as other suitable electricalcomponents are housed within a box 64 mounted on one of the side walls14 of the separator 10 (FIG. 1).

It is noted that the container separator may be readily modified todispense any suitable number of rows of dispensed containers by addingor removing microswitches 46 and rails 19 with concurrent changes in theproportions of the separator components especially the retractablerails.

It is further noted that the containers while described above as beingfilled and of a cylindrical shape may also be unfilled and be of anysize or volume as used in the conventional canning industry. Further,the containers may be made of glass, plastic, metal or any conventionalcanning material.

It is also noted that While the segregated containers are dispensed inintermittent fashion from the container separator the operation of thecontainer separator is rapid and continuous so that delivery of theconstant supply of the single row of containers is not significantlydisrupted.

The invention provides a simple, efiicient conta'ner separator whichautomatically segregates a single row of moving containers into aplurality of aligned rows of containers and dispenses the segregatedcontainers simultaneously into aligned case packer ramps. The containerseparator operates only upon the presence of a predetermined number ofsegregated containers over the respective ramps so that the containersare dispensed uniformly and evenly into the respective ramps of the casepacker unit. Additionally, the container separator is constructed to becapable of rapid adjustments and repairs.

7 The container separator automatically segregates and dispensescontainers at a high output rate with a substantial reduction inproduction down time.

Having thus described the invention, it is not intended that it be solimited as changes may be readily made therein without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the subjectmatter described above and shown in the drawings be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: 1. A container separator for separating a single rowof containers into a plurality of aligned rows of containers comprisingguide means for positioning a plurality of containers of a single row ofcontainers therein, said guide means including a pair of oppositelydisposed retractable rails for supporting the ends of a predeterminednumber of said plurality of containers thereon, means for detecting thepresence of a predetermined number of containers on said retractablerails, and

means operatively connected to said detecting means for actuating saidretractable rails in response to the detection of the presence of saidpredetermined number of containers on said rail means whereby saidretractable rail means is retracted to dispense said predeterminednumber of containers simultaneously under gravity from the containerseparator.

2. A container separator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guidemeans further includes a pair of fixed upper rails for preventing upwardmovement of said plurality of containers, each said upper rail having astop lug projecting into the path of the containers for arrestingmovement of the containers through said guide means.

3. A container separator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means foractuating said retractable rail means includes a pair of assemblies foractuating said rails, each assembly having a rotatably mounted shaft,means for rotating said shaft in response to the detection of thepresence of said predetermined number of containers on said rail meansand a pair of rods securing one of said rails to said shaft.

4. A container separator as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means forrotating said shaft includes an air cylinder and a piston arm in saidair cylinder connected to said shaft, eachrshaft of said assembliesbeing connected to a common solenoid valve having means forreciprocating each said piston arm in each said air cylinder.

5. A container separator as set forth in claim 3 which further comprisesa container stop assembly operatively connected to said shaft of one ofsaid assemblies for preventing movement of the remaining containers ofsaid plurality of containers towards said retractable rails wherebymovement of said remaining containers is prevented during movement ofsaid predetermined number of containers past said retractable rails.

6. A container separator as set forth in claim 1 which further includesa plurality of arcuate chutes positioned below said retractable railsfor receiving said predetermined number of containers therein, each ofsaid chutes being disposed in the path of a respectiveone of saidpredetermined number of containers whereby a plurality of aligned rowsof containers are dispensed from the container separator.

7. A container separator as set forth in claim 1 which further comprisesa container stop assembly for preventing movement of the single row ofcontainers towards said retractable rails whereby movement of the singlerows of containers is prevented during movement of said predeterminednumber of containers past said retractable rails.

8. A container separator as set forth in claim 7 where- 8 in saidcontainer stop assembly is in synchronism with said means for actuatingsaid retractable rails.

9. A container separator for separating a row of containers into aplurality of aligned rows of containers comprising guide means forpositioning a plurality of containers of a single row of containerstherein, said guide means including a retractable rail means forsupporting a predetermined number of said plurality of containersthereon, means for detecting the presence of a predetermined number ofcontainers on said retractable rail means,

actuating means operatively connected to said detecting means foractuating said retractable rail means in response to the detection ofthe presence of said predetermined number of containers on said railmeans whereby said retractable rail means is retracted to dispense saidpredetermined number of containers simultaneously under gravity from thecontainer separator, and

switch means disposed below said retractable rail means in spacedrelation to said actuating means, said switch means being operativelyconnected to said actuating means for determining the passage of saidpredetermined number of containers past,

said retractable rail means, said switch means activating said actuatingmeans to close said retracta:

ble rail means in response to the passage of said predetermined numberof containers therefrom whereby a successive predetermined number ofcontainers can be supported on said retractable rail means.

10. A container separator as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means fordetecting the presence and said means for determining the passage ofsaid predetermined number of containers are microswitches, each of saidmicroswitches having a finger projecting into the path of a container.

11. A method of separating a single row of containers into a pluralityof aligned rows of containers comprising the steps of moving the row ofcontainers in a downwardly sloped direction, arresting movement of theforemost containers in the row of containers, segregating apredetermined number of foremost containers from the single row ofcontainers, each of said segregated containers having an axisdisposedjin a first plane, and

dispensing the segregated containers simultaneously under gravity fromthe remaining containers in the row of containers in aligned rows whilemaintaining the axis of each dispensed container parallel to said firstplane.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said steps of arresting,segregating and dispensing are repeated in sequential manner whereby thealigned rows of dispensed containers contain an even distribution ofcontainers.

13. A method as set forth in claim 11 which further includes the step ofpreventing movement of the remaining containers of the single row ofcontainers during dispensing of the segregated containers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,206,398 11/1916 Augensen 198-3l2,713,959 7/1955 Gilbert et al. 198-3l 2,799,381 7/1957 Beckley l98-313,170,559 2/1965 Clements 1983l RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner.EVON C. BLUNK, Examiner.

M. L. AJEMAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER SEPARATOR FOR SEPARATING A SINGLE ROW OF CONTAINERS INTOA PLURALITY OF ALIGNED ROWS OF CONTAINERS COMPRISING GUIDE MEANS FORPOSITIONING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS OF A SINGLE ROW OF CONTAINERSTHEREIN, SAID GUIDE MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSEDRETRACTABLE RAILS FOR SUPPORTING THE ENDS OF A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OFSAID PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS THEREON, MEANS FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCEOF A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF CONTAINERS ON SIAD RETRACTABLE RAILS, ANDMEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID DETECTING MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAIDRETRACTABLE RAILS IN RESPONSE TO THE DETECTION OF THE PRESENCE OF SAIDPREDETERMINED NUMBER OF CONTAINERS ON SAID RAIL MEANS WHEREBY SAIDRETRACTABLE RAIL MEANS IS RETRACTED TO DISPENSE SAID PREDETERMINEDNUMBER OF CONTAINERS SIMULTANEOUSLY UNDER GRAVITY FROM THE CONTAINERSEPARATOR.